Can attachment



Dec. 24, 1940. H. H. TRENT T 2,225,670 r CAN ATTACHMENT Filed June 15, 1939 Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a can holder and punch, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which can be readily applied to a can or the like to provide means for conveniently handling the can.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which includes means for conveniently puncturing the top of a can for dispensing the content thereof, together with means for normally maintaining the punctures or openings closed to protect the content of the can from dust, bacteria, insects or contact with the air.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind wherein the major portion is constructed from a single strand of material possessing the requisite rigidity.v

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved can holder and punch whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a can holder and punch constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in 5 applied position;

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

40 Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, my improved device comprises a body member B and a punch member P. The body member B, 45 as herein disclosed, is formed from a single strand of metal of requisite gauge to afford desired rigidity. The end portions of the strand provide straight arms I arranged side by side and of desired length. The lower end of each of the 50 arms I is upwardly continued by a straight arm 2 which is also continued by an upwardly and inwardly disposed arcuate member 8. The arms I and 2 and members 3 combine or coact to provide a convenient handle to be grasped by a 55 person as may be desired. The inner end of each of the arcuate members 3 is continued by an outwardly curved bar 4, the outer or free end portion of which is returned by a second arcuate bar 5 positioned above the bar 4 but in close proximity thereto. The bar 5 extends rearwardly 5 to a point closely adjacent to the arms I and at which point the bar 5 is continued by an upstanding arm 6. The upper extremity of the arm 6 of one bar 5 is integrally connected with the arm 6 of the second bar 5 by an interposed o Each pair of bars 4 and 5 form a gripping jaw which, when the device is applied to a can, extends almost half way around the can with the lower ends of the arms I preferably in close con- 15 tact with the peripheral wall 8 of the can to which the device is applied. Each of the bars 5 which is positioned above its associated bar 4 has its central portion pinched or otherwise formed to provide an upwardly offset and in- 20 wardly disposed stop member 9 for contact from above with the can C to assure the placing of the device in proper position upon the can.

The jaws as afforded by the bars 4 and 5 when the device is applied have close contact with 25 the peripheral wall 8 of the can C closely adjacent to the top thereof and the application or removal of the device with respect to the can is facilitated by a certain degree of inherent resiliency possessed by the bars 4 and 5. This re- 30 siliency tends to normally urge the jaws one toward the other to assure desired efiective engagement of the jaws with the peripheral wall 8 of the can C.

When the body B, as hereinbefore described, is applied it provides a convenient handle for a person in pouring out the contents of the can C or otherwise manipulating such can C as may be desired.

The punch member P, as herein disclosed, com- 40 prises a pair of elongated spaced and parallel straight arms 10 having their rear portions continued by the upwardly inclined arms II integrally connected at their outer ends by the cross bar 0. These arms I0 and II and member a, as herein disclosed, are formed from a single length of material of requisite gauge.

The arms I l intermediate their ends have suitably secured thereto from below, as by welding or otherwise, a plate I! carrying an underhung sleeve bearing t4 disposed transversely of the member P and through which are freely disposed the bars I of the body member B whereby the member P is supported for swinging or rocking movement toward or from the top of the can C to which the device is applied. This member P is normally urged downwardly or in a direction toward the body member B by the spring member M. As herein disclosed, this member M comprises a U-shaped member l5 straddling the member P from above and having its side arms I6 terminating in the spring coils l'l surrounding the bars 1 at opposite sides of the member P. These coils I! are continued by the arms [8 having inwardly disposed extensions l9 engaging below the arcuate members 3 immediately adjacent to the arms I. It is to be stated that the mounting of the spring may be varied and it is to be further stated that I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to any particular kind of spring other than one which operates to constantly urge the forward portion of the member P toward the body B and more particularly in proper association with the top of the can C with which the device is employed.

Disposed between and along the arms l0 and maintained in such position by a suitable filler 20 of metal or otherwise as may be preferred is a bar 2|. The opposite end portions of this bar 2| are downwardly disposed to provide the punches 22 and 23. The punch 22 is closely adjacent to the outer or forward end portion of the member P so as to puncture the top of the can C closely adjacent to the peripheral wall thereof. This punch 22 is preferably heavy as the puncture produced by such punch 22 constitutes the pouring opening while the puncture made by the punch 23 provides the required air vent to assure the pouring of the content of the can C.

After the device has been initially applied to the can C it is only necessary to impose suflicient pressure upon the member P to force the prongs 22- and 23 through the top of the can C. Normally these prongs 22 and 23 will maintain the resultant punctures or openings closed against dust, bacteria and insects and also guard the content of the can from contact with the outside air. However, when it is desired to pour out the contents of the can C it is only required that pressure be produced on the outer end portions of the arms 12 which will cause the forward portion of the member P to swing upwardly a distance sufficient to release the prongs 22 and 23 from the can. After the pouring operation and upon release of pressure upon the arms [2, the spring member M will cause the forward portion of the member P to return to its normal position with the prongs 22 and 23 having closing fit within the punctures oropenings previously produced thereby.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

A can holder and punch comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to extend more than half way around the can, said members being formed froma single length of material of requisite gauge. each of said members including a length of material returned upon itself to provide upper and lower bars, a bar of one member being in continuation of a bar of the second member, the extremities of the second bars being outwardly extended to provide a handle, a punch member pivotally mounted upon the connecting portion for the continuing bars of the members, said punch member including two substantially parallel spaced bars, and an intermediate bar held between the spaced bars, said intermediate bar having its ends laterally extended to provide depending puncturing prongs.

HARLEY H. TRENT. 

